help and advise needed please

[vincent winyard]

hi there everyone i need some help with a young avicularia versicolor and set up. first of all it will only be about 2cm so only very young. i have a small container to put it in rather like a small sweet jar about 9 inches high and about 7 inches in diamiter. 1st problem the lid. i was going to put loads of holes in for the ventilation but my wife suggested some netting round the top held on by an elastic band not to sure about that though what do you think the best option is. 2nd problem heating how can i maintane the heat required for these t's in a plastic container i was going to buy a small heat pad to put on the side would this do the trick thanks everyone.

[Christopher Smallman]

I have seen pictures of zinc mesh being cut through by a spider just like you would with a can opener so even a diddy spider might make short work of a piece of netting. Also there is a danger the little thing might get caught up in it with its feet.

If you do punch holes in the lid do it from the inside out so any rough bits dont come into contact with your spider.

A heat pad on the side of the spiders container will be fine if you can find a pad small enough or put the spiders container in a larger container and heat that you could also put some damp sand, vermiculite, peat or coir in this larger container and keep it damp so keeping a humid atmospher (spl?) around the spiders container without soaking its substrate.

Just a few thoughts Im sure someone else wil come up with more tips for you

Chris.

[vincent winyard]

cheers for that chris. im going to try and find a small heat pad first. if i have no luck i'll see if i can set up something like you've suggested thank's again for your help chris. p and by the way i think i'll stick with a proper lid with tiny holes in.

[Paolo Trabucco]

Hi vincent! If you want an idea for your avicularia, i might have your answer. I went for a trip in TJ Huges store a few month back, and i've end up buying those containers, i think are made for keep fresh your ceral, well i think they work a treat for my Versicolor, and my Amazonica, if you look at my pics and you like my set up, well just check TJ huges ...lol
My avicularia have webbed all theyre tunnels and stuff, so i think they like it 2!

If you decide to get one of those containers, you need a drill so you can make your own ventilated holes. I hope i gave you a bit of help or an new idea.

[Colin D Wilson]

Paulo seems to keep his Avics in the same way we do here, lots of room and lots of ventilation ...both neccessary for rearing Avics in my opinion.
The extra holes down the sides offer air movement which means you can get the humidity to the level that Avics like without the risk of it going stale.

To make the holes a drill is ok, if a little time consuming so i tend to use a soldering iron and just get it to temp and push through with the holes... the advantage being theres no sharp edges left on the inside.

Just remember that with all the ventilation holes the tub will dry out quicker than usual so keep an eye on the humidity levels.

[vincent winyard]

paolo that's a brilliant set up thank's so much for showing me what you've done. i'll be shopping round tomorrow for something like that thank's again mate. just one thing though how are you heating the set up.

[Paolo Trabucco]

No problems mate! well my avics, at the moment they placed on my tortois viv, wich has got an heat lamp on a thermostat,so it generate some heat but not 2 strong to arm my T's.
I suggest to buy a 7 watts heat mat to place not direct under the containers, but on the side. And keep the containers moist, but not 2 much, i spray lightly mine every 2 days, and my avics are doing fine.
Having a heat mat that low, you can easily leave it on day and night without using a stat. Bear in mind its a small heat pad, if you get a more powerfull one i really advise to get a thermostat.

[vincent winyard]

many thanks paolo i really appreciate your help. im going to order one from lee at the spider shop tomorrow and try and get it for thursday. i'll let you know how i get on once i've got the spider and everything set up cheers again paolo.